Does drinking alcohol affect sperm?

When we talk about fertility, the focus is often placed on what to do to prepare for conception and pregnancy, like, for example, cutting down on drinking alcohol. And while this question is often raised when talking about female fertility, it’s important to also look into alcohol and its role in male reproductive health.

Research has shown that drinking alcohol could affect a man’s fertility and sperm health. But how much alcohol does it take for these effects to occur? Keep reading to learn more about how alcohol impacts sperm. 

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It’s common for people to occasionally drink in social situations. But how much alcohol is “too much”? And how much alcohol does it take to affect your health, including fertility? That depends on multiple factors, like how often you’re drinking, how much alcohol you’re drinking each time, and how your body metabolizes alcohol. 

The research on how much alcohol it takes to start affecting sperm health is mixed. A 2016 review suggests that occasionally drinking alcohol in moderation likely doesn’t negatively impact sperm (Ricci, 2016). But a 2014 study found that drinking more than five drinks per week can start to impact semen parameters (Jensen, 2014). 

The effects of heavy alcohol drinking on sperm health, as opposed to occasional drinking, are clearer. Heavy drinking—which the CDC defines as 15 or more drinks per week for men—can lead to decreased sperm health and changes to your reproductive and sex hormones (CDC, 2021; Jensen, 2014; Ricci, 2016).

In other words, the impact of moderate alcohol consumption, which the CDC defines as up to two drinks per day for men, isn’t clear. But we know that heavy drinking doesn’t help when it comes to male fertility (CDC, 2022). It may be okay to have a few drinks from time to time, but one easy and helpful step could be to stop drinking alcohol while trying to conceive.

Male reproductive health, which includes sperm production, is influenced by hormones in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), which describes the interaction between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. 

Alcohol use over time—especially heavy alcohol use—could lead to hormonal changes in the HPA axis—particularly the pituitary gland—leading to changes in your reproductive health, including (Jensen, 2014; Ricci, 2016; Grover, 2014):

• Decreased sperm concentration

• Low sperm count

• Abnormal size and shape of sperm

• Low sperm motility

• Changes in hormones like testosterone

Besides its impact on sperm quality, alcohol can also lead to erection issues or alcohol-induced erectile dysfunction (ED). Booze can impair blood circulation and nerve sensitivity, which are important factors for sexual arousal. The effects of alcohol on a man’s erection usually go away when you sober up, but chronic heavy drinking can lead to long-term ED (Wang, 2018).

The adverse effects of alcohol on sperm health are likely reversible, and sperm health will begin to improve with time after a period of heavy drinking.

In general, the more you cut back on drinking and the longer you go without drinking, the more your sperm health can return to where it was before you started drinking. One study found semen quality returned within three months after participants withdrew from heavy, chronic alcohol consumption (Sermondade, 2010). 

So, yes, no longer drinking alcohol could improve sperm quality if you have alcohol-related changes. But remember, other factors can impair male fertility like nutrition deficiencies, cigarette smoking, illicit drug use, stress, and lack of sleep (Leslie, 2021). 

Healthy lifestyle choices, like a healthy diet, exercise, and sleep, play important roles in supporting your overall health and well-being. And your overall health influences your fertility and reproductive health. 

Here are some of the ways to boost male fertility:

Eat a balanced diet

Diet plays an important role in overall health and sperm development. For example, eating a high-fat diet that is low in vitamins and minerals is associated with low sperm quality and decreased testosterone (Skoracka, 2020). 

Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet full of nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruit, seafood, nuts, seeds, poultry, and whole grains. 

One diet to consider is the Mediterranean diet. It has grown in popularity because it’s associated with a lower risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer (Tosti, 2018). 

And it could boost sperm health. A 2019 study found that following a Mediterranean diet may help improve the ability of sperm to move efficiently (Salas-Huetos, 2019).

Get enough sleep

Not getting enough sleep and poor sleep quality can lead to low motility and sperm count (Chen, 2020). Try these tips to promote better sleep:

• Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

• Sleep in a cool, dark, and quiet environment.

• Avoid drinking caffeine in the late afternoon and evening.

• Limit watching TV or looking at your phone or tablet before bed.

• Limit daytime naps.

Exercise regularly

Research suggests exercise may help improve male infertility, especially when it’s linked to factors like obesity and diabetes. One study showed exercise helped improve sperm production and quality in people with lifestyle-related infertility (Minas, 2022).

Consider trying group fitness classes, working with an accountability partner, or hiring a personal trainer if you need help exercising consistently.

Consider supplements

There are many male fertility supplements on the market. However, not all are effective and usually only improve sperm health if you have a nutrient deficiency that plays into your sperm quality. 

Still, it could be worth exploring with your healthcare provider if supplements may help you. Research suggests that some supplements may improve male fertility, such as (Kuchakulla, 2020):

• Vitamin E

• L-carnitine

• Vitamin C

• Zinc 

Drinking alcohol can impact sperm production and the quality of semen. It’s not known exactly how much alcohol you can drink before sperm becomes affected because it depends on how your body responds to alcohol. 

For some men, even moderate alcohol consumption could impact their sperm health. And the more you drink, the more likely it is that alcohol will affect the health of your sperm and your overall health. Talk with your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about your fertility to explore what factors could be impacting you.

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Current version

April 27, 2022

Written by

Ashley Braun, RD, MPH

Fact checked by

Felix Gussone, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Felix Gussone, MD, Ro

Felix Gussone is a physician, health journalist and a Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.